Test stars set to light up BBL14 in ‘three-game stretch’ before Sri Lanka tour

Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Konstas and Alex Carey are among the jubilant Australian Test stars poised to bolster the Big Bash ranks this week as teams jostle for positions on the table in the final stages of the regular season.

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Many of the heroes from the 3-1 series win over India will be available for a three-game stretch before departing for a camp in the UAE ahead of the upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka.

Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja will turn out for the Brisbane Heat’s blockbuster Saturday night clash against the Adelaide Strikers at the Adelaide Oval, adding to a batting order which already boasts Test-capped players Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro and Matt Renshaw.

The Strikers expected to have Carey on board for the home clash and following game against the Sydney Sixers, but were uncertain about the availability of Travis Head, who has a two-month old son at home and said he was “wrecked” following a gruelling five Tests against India.

“We’ve got 10 or 12 days before we go off to Sri Lanka, and I’m going to use every little bit of that,” Head said after the Australians secured a 3-1 series victory on Sunday.

“It’s been a tough tour, so I will look forward to a couple of cold ones tonight. I’ve been off the drink, so I will look after myself and then turn my attention to what’s next.”

The Sixers said batting maestro Smith was “locked in” for the Saturday afternoon clash against the Perth Scorchers at the SCG, and hoped he could return even earlier for Thursday’s trip to Melbourne to face the Stars.

In brief cameos over the past two summers, Smith had 407 runs at a strike rate of more than 160 including two centuries and two fifties in just seven innings.

After playing all five Tests and nursing a sore rib in Melbourne and Sydney, Mitchell Starc was set to be rested despite being signed as a “marquee replacement player” by the Sixers three weeks ago.

They also signed Josh Hazlewood, but the Test quick was unlikely to recover from a calf injury in time to bowl during the tournament.

Pat Cummins was signed under the same mechanism by the Sydney Thunder, but they were uncertain of the Test captain’s availability to play as he awaits the birth of his second child.

Cummins sent down more than 1000 deliveries during the Border-Gavaskar series – more than any bowler including Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah – and was little chance of playing this week, although the Thunder expected dashing opener Sam Konstas to reunite with David Warner at the top of the order against the Hobart Hurricanes on Wednesday night.

Dropped Test all-rounder Mitch Marsh flew from Sydney to Perth on Monday and was understood to be eager to play in the Scorchers’ home game against the Melbourne Renegades on Tuesday.

Nathan Lyon was not expected to make the trip to Perth for the Renegades, but was considered a strong chance to make his club debut in Sunday’s derby against the Stars at Marvel Stadium.

The Scorchers, who confirmed speedster Jhye Richardson would play, were waiting on approval from Cricket Australia to name Marsh in their squad.

Marsh’s inclusion could be timely as fellow all-rounder Aaron Hardie was under a cloud due to an abdominal complaint that kept him from bowling in the final-ball loss to the Thunder.

Hardie clutched at his side after he reverse swept a boundary early in his innings on Friday.

Australian debutant Beau Webster was set for a hero’s welcome back to the MCG against the Sixers on Thursday night, but a reappearance for the Stars was unlikely for Scott Boland following his heavy workload in the last two Tests and a big role to come on the Sri Lanka tour.

Big Bash fixtures this week (all times AEDT)